“I never knew it could be this way. It’s like it gets better every time.”

“It does get better every time.”

“Don’t let me forget to set my alarm. I can’t believe I have to work tomorrow. The party is over.”

“No, baby,” he said, kissing her. “The party is just getting started.”

Chapter 23

He who loves, flies, runs, and rejoices;

he is free and nothing holds him back.

—Henri Matisse

Lincoln found his father-in-law right where he expected him to be on a Saturday morning—at the Green Mountain Diner with the Burlington Free Press spread out on the table and a cup of coffee in hand. He slid into the booth across from Elmer and smiled at his daughter-in-law Megan when she approached with a pot of coffee and another mug.

“Welcome home,” he said. “How was the trip?”

“Amazing,” she said, blushing ever so slightly. “We had a great time. Back to reality today.”

“It’s good to have you home safely.”

“Thanks.”

“Where’s Hunter this morning?”

“At the hospital with Hannah. He went there first thing.” She poured his coffee. “Have you heard anything about how the baby is doing today?”

“Same,” Lincoln said. “Holding her own, but she’s going to be in the NICU until she gains some weight and her lungs get stronger.”

“But they think she’s going to make it, right?”

“The prognosis is good. Yes.”

“Thank God. We’ve been so worried. Hunter was climbing the walls wanting to get home. I suggested we cut the trip short, but he didn’t want to do that. It was hard for him to be away from Hannah when she was going through this.”

“I’m sure it was. The two of them are thicker than thieves.”

“Do you want breakfast?”

“Maybe in a little while.”

“I’ll be back to check on you guys.”

“That’s one happy gal,” Elmer said when Megan had moved on to the next table.

“It’s nice to see. She sure does make Hunter happy.” Lincoln took a sip of his coffee and then dove into the reason he’d sought out Elmer this morning. “I got a call from Mary earlier.”

“Mary from the office?”

“The one and only.”

“Everything okay?”

“Everything seems great with her, but she gave me her notice.”

“What? She’s worked for us for decades. Where’s she going?”

“Apparently, she’s relocating.”

“To where?”